Can Anything Pass? 6 Things in Obama’s Gun Plan

What in the President’s gun plan can actually pass Congress? It appears not much.

Gun control is an issue where it would pay to have a few friends in Congress. President Obama has few — which is clearly one of the reason VP Biden was handed the reigns. Can Biden’s strengths overcome resistance from gun manufacturers who have given money to 60% of Congress?

Much of the gun related policy due to be announced at noon today has already been introduced in Congress in recent years and has failed. Last night, the White House briefed lobbyists on the gun plan. Almost none of what is likely to announce today can pass the GOP controlled House.

1. The Assault weapons ban / limit high capacity magazines — Feinstein, McCarthy, DeGette offered this bill after Aurora shooter James Holmes shot 70 people in a movie theatre with a high capacity ammo loader attached to a Bushmaster. The President is set to re-announce the same ideas today.

2. Prohibition on gun trafficking — This is NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s idea. Mayors against guns has pushed this for years. NY Sen Kirsten Gillibrand offered legislation last year. It died.

3. Criminal background checks/eliminating the gun show loophole — Sen Frank Lautenberg along with Rep. Peter King offered legislation on this in 2009. Mayor Bloomberg and the Brady campaign have pushed this for years.

4. Bullying — This is a favorite topic of the LGTB community and Michelle Obama. The White House has held serval forums on the issue. Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Jared Polis’ bullying bill is most likely the language here.

5. Boosting mental health services — This is in here to kiss the ass of NRA and represents the Republican answer to everything on guns — let’s see where the $ comes from. The same Republican who want to de-fund Obamacare are the same ones who keep focusing on mental health issues after mass shootings.

6. Straw gun purchases — PA Gov Tom Corbett signed a straw purchase bill last last week and NY Gov Andrew Cuomo signed one yesterday. O’Malley is soon to follow. No one has offered federal legislation on the issue.

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About the Author

lauren victoria burke

Lauren Victoria Burke is a writer, strategist and political analyst. She created Crewof42 in 2009. Ms. Burke also writes for NBC BLK, The Root, NNPA and is the Managing Editor of Politic365. As part of a diverse career in politics and media, she has also served as a congressional staffer for the U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee and as a Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN). She appears weekly on NewsOneNow with Roland Martin on TVOne. Ms. Burke grew up in New York and holds a B.A. in History from The American University. Email: LBurke007@gmail.com. Twitter: @LVBurke.